FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 21, 2008
Glen Sampson - NWS-TUCSON
520-670-5156
NOAA Recognizes Pima County, Ariz., as StormReady®
Pima County, Ariz., is being recognized by NOAA’s National Weather Service for completing the StormReady® program, better equipping the county to handle severe weather. The Pima County emergency management team fulfilled a rigorous set of warning and evacuation criteria, including the development of a formal hazardous weather plan.
"StormReady® helps create better prepared communities," said Tom Evans, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service forecast office in Tucson. “Pima County encompasses more than 9,184 square miles and has elevations ranging from 1,200 feet to the 9,185-foot peak of Mount Lemmon. The potential for the public to encounter severe weather is greatly increased because of our unique terrain. Public awareness and preparedness are essential.”
Glen Sampson, meteorologist-in-charge of the Tucson forecast office, today presented a recognition letter and StormReady® road signs to county officials during a public ceremony at the Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting.
To be recognized as StormReady®, a community must establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public; create a system that monitors local weather conditions; promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
Disaster preparedness is everyone's responsibility. Educating yourself and your family on environmental hazards, maintaining a disaster supply kit and having an emergency plan in place, are all ways you can be better prepared.
The StormReady® program is part of NOAA National Weather Service's working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association. The StormReady® recognition expires in three years, after which the county will go through a renewal process.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov
On the Web:
StormReady® program: http://www.stormready.noaa.gov
National Weather Service in Tucson: http://weather.gov/tucson
StormReady® is a registered trademark used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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Pima County, AZ Certified NWS-Storm Ready
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